Monday, 18 May 2015

'Which foundation do you use?' is without a doubt the most popular question I get asked, along with 'what do you use to contour?', can you spot the ever so subtle theme here? Its beyond me that people are actually interested in the makeup products I use as I'm definitely no makeup artist/expert. As many of you do seem to be interested though I thought I'd talk you through my everyday routine... the everyday bit is a bit of a lie though, think more a couple of times a week routine.

It's always vital that you apply a primer instead of rushing straight in with the makeup, it just makes life easier if you're starting off with smooth, dewy skin- doesn't it?! So, first things first, MACStrobe Cream. This just helps to achieve that healthy glowing look, but I'm sure you already know that if you're a regular reader of my blog.

Now I've finished prepping it's time for foundation, my foundation of choice is MACStudio Fix fluid in the shade NW20. I absolutely love this foundation as it gives the most flawless finish when mixed with a squirt of Strobe Cream, dream team right there. To apply what I like to call the 'dream team' I use a Real Techniquesstippling brush, this ensures that just the right amount of product is applied, cakey mask like finish = a thing of the past.

The next task on my list is to cover up what I refer to as my 'panda eyes', to do so I use MACSelect-Cover up concealer using yet again a Real Techniques brush- I guess nows a good time to mention these are the only brushes I use, they're brilliant yet so affordable. The best way to cover up those pesky under eye circles is to create a triangle, or a V shape- whatever you'd like to call it- instead of simply creating one line as this won't cover up your dark shadows as well.

As of late I've became a huge fan of this whole contouring trend, it did take me a while to grasp the technique but I'm obsessed now that I've finally mastered it. After watching what feels like countless tutorials I've came to the conclusion that you have to contour to suit your face shape, instead of following any old guide. The two products I use to do so are both MAC- surprise, surprise- the 'matte bronze' bronzer and the Prep + Prime highlighter in the shade 'light boost'. I was thinking about doing a blogpost on how I contour, if any of you are interested let me know in the comments and I'll definitely do one.

Anyway, moving swiftly on. To set all of the products I've just applied I go ahead and use MACMineralize Skinfinish Natural in the shade 'medium'. This is my absolute fave powder as it gives the nicest natural finish which is just what you need when you've applied quite a few products already.

To finish I add a sweep of MAC'soft and gentle' highlighter to my cheekbones, brow bones and down the middle of my nose. I love the glowy finish this gives, it really finishes of the whole 'dewy' look!

So there we have it, my everyday base makeup routine that's guaranteed to look flawless every time. I know it's a lot of products but I don't mind when it gives the finish that it does! Do you have any essential 'base' products?

Monday, 11 May 2015

It's no secret that I'm just a little bit addicted to Instagram, wait... that's a huge lie as what I really mean is I'm absolutely obsessed and spend every bit of spare time I get being, let's be a honest, nosy. I like to upload a new picture at least once a day- fellow bloggers take note, this works wonders for your blog following.

However posting an interesting photo once a day is quite the challenge when you're seriously lacking in inspiration, so with this being said here's fifty post ideas for when you're struck down with the dreaded 'I'm all outta ideas' phase- let's face it, it's inevitable.

1.) OOTD/OOTN (outfit of the day/night)

2.) A snap of your meal out- everyone loves food

3.) Your latest manicure

4.) From where I stand (an above shot of your outfit)

5.) You've just tried out a new hairstyle, show us

6.) Bedroom/living room/kitchen details

7.) A selfie

8.) Your skinny latte- the typical Starbucks/Costa pic

9.) The #WIDN tag, tell us what you're up to right now

10.) Drinks/cocktails

11.) Your pet

12.) A throwback

13.) Into baking? Show us your latest creation(s)

14.) Face of the day- a flat lay of your makeup

15.) Your favourite perfume(s)

16.) Your MAC lipstick collection

17.) Healthy meal to inspire others

18.) The typical holiday snaps- round the pool, the beach etc

19.) You've just been shopping? Show us what you got

20.) Make-up counter (MAC, Chanel etc)

21.) A haul of your latest beauty buys

22.) Your nail varnish collection

23.) Your dressing table/getting ready area

24.) A going out picture of you and your friends

25.) Haircare products you use

26.) You've had a day out? Share what you got up to

27.) The jewellery you wear on a daily basis

28.) Your pamper session essentials

29.) A 'cheat treat'- think chocolate, pancakes etc

30.) Your new shoes/heels

31.) A picture of your blogging set-up

32.) An outdoorsy snap

33.) Weekend away? Share the view from your hotel window

34.) An indulgent breakfast, lunch or dinner of yours

35.) You're at the cinema? Show us what treats you've picked

36.) A pic of you relaxing- messy bed with a cuppa etc

37.) A quote you can relate to/find funny

38.) Your work out outfit/progress pictures

39.) Candles- girls love candles

40.) The book/magazine you're currently reading

41.) Your favourite makeup products

42.) A night out, work or everyday makeup look

43.) Your latest homeware purchases

44.) A weheartit or Pinterest photo you love

45.) A lush bath bomb/bubble bath snap

46.) Outfit details (handbag, jewellery etc)

47.) What's in your bag/makeup bag?

48.) If you have one, your pandora collection

49.) Share your favourite Instagram accounts in a collage

50.) A clothes haul

I hope that's all gave you some new ideas if you were all outta them, also if you'd like some general 'Instagram tips' then there's a list of them, here. Who are your favourite Instagrammer's? Oh and don't forget to leave your IG username in the comments below so I can follow you all (@itslittlelauren).

Monday, 4 May 2015

If I had to describe my natural hair using only three words, those three words would be; frizzy, untameable and lacklustre. Yep, I'd say that's a pretty accurate description. Find me a girl who doesn't struggle to control their natural locks, I bet you'll struggle!

As I've mentioned countless times before I'm on a total heat ban after my hair decided that it'd be nice to start falling out and breaking on me- the beloved hairdryer is also included in the 'refrain from using until further notice' category. I've stuck to this for nearly two years now- girl on a mission and all that!

'How the heck do you do it?!' I hear you cry. Two years is a flipping long time to go without frazzling your hair with the GHD's, but I now consider myself a 'no heat hairstyle' expert after picking up everything their possibly is to know about naturally wavy/curly hair within these two years. So with this being said, here's some of the best tips I've picked up along the way with a few hairstyles to try out for good measure too...

•Never brush your hair whilst it's still wet

This might sound stupidly obvious but before you go in the shower always make sure you comb all of the knots out of your hair first. When your hair is wet it's more prone to breaking, it can also cause frizziness too so it's best to wait until it's completely dry.

As a rule I tend not to brush my hair too regularly, as I'm sure all you curly haired girls will know... it creates the biggest frizzy afro- definitely not the look I'm after.

•Make deep conditioning masks your BFF

The majority of people's natural hair can be a little on the frizzy side- mine included- so to tackle this issue head on I use the Lee Stafford'Frizz Off' hair mask, and I can confirm that it works absolute wonders.

I find that any hair mask helps massively though so go for one that'll give your hair the attention it needs, such as a mask specifically targeted to give dry hair a helping hand, and so on. This will not only improve the condition, but the appearance of your natural hair too.

•After-care is a must

Without sizzling your hair with heat it's pretty damn hard to create that sleek, shiny look that all girls long for. But that's where Argan/Moroccan oil comes in!

After I've finished washing my hair I generously apply Argan oil from the mid section downwards- making sure to concentrate on the ends. This just helps to achieve shiny, and all round gorgeous looking hair that's enough to make all girls envy your locks.

•Resist the hairdryer

I always used to make the mistake of blow drying my out of control mane, and this only made matters worse. The only way to avoid that candy-floss look is to let your hair dry naturally! I know, I know- this does take a while but I can't tell you how much better the results are, frizz bomb hair is a thing of the past now I've abandoned the hairdryer.

This point may not apply to all of you as you might not suffer from frizzy hair- lucky thing- but if you happen to take after me then this is an absolute must. Obviously it's time consuming but if you wash your hair in the evenings instead of in the morning then it's not a problem.

Big and glamorous Hollywood hair

To create that big, glamorous blow dry affect then a brilliant way to do so without using a scrap of heat is to pin curl your hair. For those of you that don't know what pin curling entails then to put it simply, it's basically just like putting your hair into rollers... except you aren't using the rollers of course.

I'm really useless at explaining how to do this but you can learn, here. Such a cop out, i know!

The 'pin it to the back, my hairs a mess' braids

A hairstyle I'd recommend if you're having a particularly bad hair day would be two French plaits either side of your head, then pinned to the back- does this have a name? Enlighten me. This one works every-time guaranteed if your hair isn't willing to co-operate whatsoever, and guess what? Its super easy and quick to do, too.

One for those awkward fringe days

There's nothing more annoying than when your hair gets in your way when you're busy and on a mission. My favourite way to solve this problem is to French plait my fringe, not only does it look good when it's down it also looks super girly even when you want to shove your hair up into a ponytail. Problem solved? Tick.

I hope you found this helpful and now have a few more 'no heat hairstyles' to try out. I'd love to know how you lot style your hair on an every day basis, is heat a must for you?

Friday, 1 May 2015

I'm sure every girl will agree when I say that getting your winged eyeliner perfect on BOTH eyes is a bloody good day. These are the type of days where you seriously start reconsidering your career path, like hello new makeup artist in the making here. Chuck good hair day, wearing your favourite outfit and lipstick into the mix on top of that and what have you got? The recipe for a 'get ready with me' blogpost, of course.

These are the kind of days where nothing can stop you, no absolutely nothing. Okay, maybe that's a small lie but you're as unstoppable as you'll ever be. Anyway, moving swiftly on! Not so long ago, me, my mum and grandma all went out for a girly shopping and lunch day and here's what I wore...

Face

Strobe Cream: MAC

Studio Fix foundation: MAC

Select cover-up concealer: MAC

'Matte bronze' contour powder: MAC

Prep + Prime highlighter 'light boost': MAC

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural powder: MAC

Brows

Brow satin pencil & powder: Maybelline

Brow setting gel: Rimmel

Eyes

Naked 2 palette: Urban Decay

Gel intenza eyeliner: L'oréal

White eyeliner: Rimmel

They're Real & Roller Lash mascara: Benefit

Lips

'Flat Out Fabulous' retro matte lipstick: MAC

You wouldn't guess I like Topshop, would you?!

Hat: Topshop

Sleeveless blazer: Topshop

Crop top: Topshop

Jeans: Topshop

Shoes: Primark

Handbag: Topshop

Necklace: Primark

Earrings: Topshop

So there we have it, that's what I wore for our girly day out. We all had such a brilliant day, even if our shopping trip was unsuccessful this time round. What's your go to makeup look and outfit choice when you have a girly shopping day?